Vienna  - Plants grow better and absorb more carbon dioxide under hazy skies, a team of European researchers said Wednesday, presenting a study in Vienna that may affect strategies against climate change.

It has been known for some time that man-made particles in the air slow down the heating of the atmosphere by reflecting the sun's heat.

But the new findings, published in this week's edition of Nature magazine, show that diffused light also reaches more of a plant's surface, leading to an increased absorption of carbon dioxide.

Vienna - A Vienna court on Wednesday jailed a former official convicted of illicitly granting over 900 visas in Belgrade, the latest in a series of scandals embroiling the Foreign Ministry.

The defendant, a former deputy consul, was found guilty of aiding illegal immigration and of abuse of office in 920 cases, including the families of professional Serbian footballers.

The 39-year-old official, who has not been named, was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison, pending a possible appeal, Austrian press agency APA reported.

Vienna

Vienna - Motorists often underestimate the effects of allergic symptoms which have the same effect as dozing behind the wheel and drinking alcohol, said the Austrian automobile association (OeAMTC).

Swollen eyes impair vision and the eyes are also closed during sneezing attacks. At a speed of 50 km/h the driver would be driving "blind" for about 28 metres.

International studies have found that allergy sufferers have an up to 30 per cent higher risk of causing an accident, the OeAMTC points out.

Vienna - Two international military observers were released in Georgia on Tuesday after being detained by authorities from the breakaway South Ossetia province, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said.

The OSCE observers were detained south of the internal boundary between Georgia proper and South Ossetia near the village of Nikozi. The Hungarian and Turkish officers were released after two-and-a-half hours.

Vienna - Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger on Monday criticized Germany and three other European Union countries for boycotting a United Nations conference on racism in Geneva.

The decision by Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland not to participate was "not a sign of strength" for the EU, Spindelegger said on Austria's ORF radio.